32 THE GERMAN AECTIC EXPEDTTTON. 



opportunity of trying our machinery, and endeavoured to 

 tow the Hansa. We succeeded beyond our expectations. 

 With a steam pressure of only forty pounds we were able 

 to bring the Hansa along at the rate of two and a half 

 knots against the breeze, which seemed quite enough for 

 our purpose. In the afternoon a light breeze fi^om the 

 north-east got up ; the boiler was therefore dispensed 

 with, the cable hauled in, and sail set, which gave us 

 about eighty-eight nautical miles for the day's run.^ 

 Then followed more than a week of almost uninterrupted 

 violent north-west wind, which for many days kept us in 

 57° N.L. 



This long standstill was very unsatisfactory, and tried 

 our patience sorely. With every fresh morning did we 

 hope for a change in the wind. The scientific men were 

 particularly impatient, as the constant rolling of the ship 

 prevented them from doing anything but read and read 

 again. 



The zoologists were the only persons fortunate enough 

 to find work in their department, although on board the 

 Germania it seemed to result in nothing more than 

 angling either on the surface or in deep water. Dr. 

 Buchholz on the Hansa was busy with his task, helped 

 by Dr. Laube, the geologist, with all his might, as well 

 as by the whole of the sailors. As often as the weather 

 permitted nets were thrown out, then drawn in from 

 time to time, and emptied of their contents. The only 

 good gained by this involuntary delay (so writes Dr. 

 Pansch on board the Germania) was that we thoroughly 



^ A day is the period between the sun's departure from and return to 

 the same meridian. It is calculated from twelve noon to the next 

 twelve noon. 



